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A brave woman who shared her experience of palliative care at Cynthia Spencer Hospice before she died, said she did so to try to change people’s perceptions of hospices. Before she passed away last month, Fibi Bibi was determined to reassure those faced with the prospect of going into a hospice that there is “nothing to fear”. She said: “Everything is dignified, and you are treated with such respect. There is just so much love in the building and everyone has been so kind. I have made some real friends whilst at the hospice and been adopted by other families..

Northampton College has officially unveiled its new £500,000 renewable energies education and training facility which will tackle the UK’s acute shortage of construction workers with up-to-date ‘green skills’. Dozens of employers from across the region attended the launch of the new Green Skills Centre at Booth Lane on Friday to get the first glimpse of its cutting-edge rigs and bays for air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, solar PV, solar thermal, wind generation, electrification of vehicles and EV charging. The centre will provide up to 250 students with access to the latest green technologies each year, reskill adults..

Following a successful first year, Boughton House and Estate are delighted to announce that their picturesque pumpkin patch and Halloween event will return for 2024. The family friendly event will run from 26th – 31st October, 11am-4pm daily. Visitors can enjoy the traditional hay-lined pumpkin patch on the Boughton’s ‘Great Court’ with mini child- friendly wheelbarrows to add to the fun. The carefully selected location, with stunning views of the Grand Etang water feature and Boughton House in the background, makes it the perfect insta-worthy photo opportunity. Visitors can also enjoy some traditional games in the grounds – from ghoulish pumpkin bowling..

Northampton Town Council is thrilled to announce the return of the highly-anticipated fireworks display, taking place on Saturday, 2 November 2024. Join us at the Racecourse starting from 4.00pm for an unforgettable evening of family-friendly entertainment and dazzling fireworks. This year’s celebrations feature a host of attractions for everyone to enjoy. BBC Radio Northampton’s Bernie Keith will guide us through the evening with a vibrant line up, featuring live music and stage shows. Popular local covers band, Whiteroom, will be performing all our singalong favourites with hit after hit followed by the Live Performers exhilarating Fire and Pyrotechnic Show as..

Grab your cape and step into the spotlight for Sing for Cransley! After March's incredible success, Cransley Hospice Trust is calling for ten groups or individuals to perform a song from a movie soundtrack at The Core at Corby Cube on Sunday, March 16, 2025. This is your chance to shine! Applications are open until December 15, 2024. No professional singers or choirs, please! Successful applicants will receive four weeks of complimentary vocal coaching to prepare for their big moment. Cransley Hospice Trust hope to raise £20,000 from the event to support patients and their families. £20,000 could support a..

Ooo! Halloween is creeping up on us, and while we’re busy planning the perfect costume and stockpiling sweets (don’t pretend you’re not), there’s a lot more to this spooktacular celebration than just trick-or-treating. It’s a holiday steeped in centuries of history, mysterious traditions, and some truly surprising facts. So, as you carve your pumpkins and get ready for all things spooky, here are 10 fun (and slightly eerie) Halloween facts that are sure to give you a treat! Halloween’s Ancient Roots - This isn’t just about dressing up in your finest vampire costume–Halloween goes way back, over 2,000 years in..

Laura Malpas explores a dark side of Northamptonshires's history, looking at witches, witchcraft trials and the superstitions held to ward off these supposedly evil women and men. It’s October. It often starts in an autumnal glow, then the days shorten, and nights become long and dark. The family fun of Halloween brightens up the final week, with little children dressing up as witches, and almost anything really, to extort treats from their friends and neighbours. Witches and wizards are viewed as fun, but it has not always been like that, and Northamptonshire has had more than its fair share of..

We did mention it last month, but here’s your timely reminder that The Subways visit The Black Prince (Oct 1) for SBD Promotions. They’ve spent two decades touring internationally, and accumulated a right load of nice moments; supporting AC/DC, Foo Fighters and Oasis, appearing on Live at Abbey Road, TOTPs, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Late Show with David Letterman. They’ve commanded at more than 100 festivals, including on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, main stage performances at Reading & Leeds, Rock Im Park, Rock Am Ring, Hurricane, Southside, Lollapalooza and Rock En Seine. So, erm yeah, they know how..

So, you want to help your local animal charity, but don't know how to? Pulse's Sammy Jones checked in with Animals in Need Manager Annie Marriott and discovered plenty of ways you can support their wonderful work - making it easy for all of us to do something... Regular readers will know only too well the fantastic work carried out by Animals in Need's team of staff and volunteers, whose boundless energy and passion saves literally thousands of lives, year in, year out. But the truth of the matter is that it's really not all about fun play time with..

Chestnut is the colour I can’t get enough of this season! Warm, earthy, and effortlessly stylish, this rich, deep brown adds a cosy yet sophisticated touch to any space, whether you’re going for a modern vibe or something more classic. From statement furniture to those little accessories that make all the difference, chestnut’s natural charm looks fabulous in any room. When combined with cream, beige, caramel and coffee colours, chestnut tones create a refined and relaxed look perfect for the seasonal change in climate. As the nights draw in, create the ideal setting in which to curl up and relax...

The Roadmender was all set to take you on a journey through the career of one of the biggest rock juggernauts to emerge in recent decades, this month - with a visit from pretenders the UK Foo Fighters. But that date has been scrapped. Quo Connection and Dizzy Lizzy team up for a night of classic rock at the venue (Oct 11); the former featuring members of John Coghlan’s Quo. Celtic rock infused punk rock sextet Ferocious Dog (Oct 12) ‘comfortably slot in between Billy Bragg and The Levellers,’ and they’ve been peddling their wares for aeons now. The Dog..

As Halloween creeps around the corner, there’s no better time to explore Northamptonshire’s eerie history. Known for its medieval significance, the county’s manors, abbeys, and churches hold chilling secrets. From ghostly monks to headless riders, these haunted tales echo through time, offering spine-tingling glimpses into the past. Rushton Hall: The Haunting Horseman Set in beautiful grounds, Rushton Hall may appear serene at first glance, but beneath the surface lies a tale of a rider and his loyal hunting dog. During renovations in the 16th century, their remains were unearthed, and ever since, sightings of the spectral duo patrolling the grounds..

Northampton can act as a national blueprint for reimagining urban spaces with successful regeneration programmes, according to three retail experts appointed to the board of the town centre’s Business Improvement District. Metro Bank’s director of retail and business banking Kerry Reynolds, Grosvenor Shopping Northampton centre director Greg Norman and restaurateur Naz Islam will now work alongside other business leaders to oversee Northampton BID’s work as it looks to make the town centre a better place to work, live and visit. Kerry, who returns to the BID board having previously served as co-chair, said: “I’m delighted to be back working with..

Northampton’s Diwali Festival of Lights is set to take place on Saturday 26th October in the town centre, with stalls and entertainment from 10am, followed by a magical light parade at dusk. This annual community festival, organised by Northampton Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation and supported by Northampton Town Council, Northampton Town Centre BID and West Northamptonshire Council, is now in its 24th year. Visitors can enjoy cultural activities such as henna painting and saree dressing, while browsing various community stalls and enjoying Indian food and drink on the newly opened Market Square. Live stage entertainment is set to take place..

A circus workshop, balloon makers, illusionists and face painters will be entertaining families as part of the Market Square’s big opening weekend. Funded by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), the acts will form part of the Family Zone at the event on the weekend of 19 and 20 October. Little ones will also be able to enjoy a chill-out zone and quiet space with reading books and a fun trail to complete. Mark Mullen, operations manager at Northampton BID, said: “We can’t wait to welcome families back to the new look Market Square and we are thrilled to..